Hundreds turn out at Easton police officer's funeral

EASTON – He was passionate about college football. Sharing burgers and beer on the back deck. Cranking up old Journey songs. But what Charlie Hopkins really loved was his family.

Under a cloudless spring sky, hundreds of friends, family members and co-workers came together in Cranston, R.I. to say goodbye to the 40-year-old Easton police officer who died suddenly on the job Saturday.

An honor guard. A motorcycle patrol. Bag-pipers. Police officers, firefighters and first responders came from as far away as Holliston, Walpole, Franklin and Seekonk.

Easton, Stoughton, Brockton and Sharon also sent police and firefighters. Members of the Easton Police Department served as pall-bearers. Large bouquets of red, white and blue flowers adorned the front of the church.

The funeral was held at the Cranston Christian Fellowship Church, where Charlie Hopkins married Francine just a few years ago.

Kevin Buffi, Hopkins’ brother-in-law, spoke at the service. “I texted him a few weeks ago and told him I was going to a father-daughter dance. He texted me back that he couldn’t wait to do that with Sienna. Wait until you get to your fifth or six one, Buffi told him. “I’m going to Sienna’s prom with her,” Charlie texted back. “His death leaves a huge hole in our lives.”

Hopkins stood more than six feet tall and was a wrestler when he was younger. “Charlie was a gentle giant,” said Jim Ricci, a pastor at the church on Thursday. Pastor David Gadoury spoke during the service. “None of us planned to be here today,” he said. “It’s important that we remember Charlie Hopkins and pray for his grieving family and co-workers who will miss him.”

The service ran for about an hour. As people talked about Charlie Hopkins, there was laughter and tears. Especially when Alec Buffi, Francine and Hopkins’ son, spoke. “Charlie you’re my hero. You taught me to be a good man. You taught me to love and to forgive.”

Michael Fox is a sergeant with the Easton Police Department and worked with Hopkins for 13 years. “I stand before you a very shaken man. I never thought I’d be saying goodbye to a dear friend,” Fox said.

He remembers when Hopkins left the Foxboro Police Department to work in Easton. “It was like we got the number one draft choice. Foxboro P.D. wasn’t very happy, but we were,” Fox said.

A letter from Charlie’s mother, Beatrice Hopkins was read during the service. “No man is perfect, but in my eyes Charlie came pretty close.” She wrote that she will always remember the smile on his face for his daughter Sienna, his determination to become a police officer and the feeling of safety and security when her son hugged her.

“Thank you dear son, for the man you became. I was always proud of the man you became and you will always be in my heart and your dad’s heart and in the heart of others. Good night sweet prince, may flights of angels lead you to your rest.”

Jennifer Bray may be reached at jbray@enterprisenews.com or follow her on Twitter @JenniferB_ENT.